John h



(No Model.) J. Hf LASKBY.`

SELF LEVELING BERTE.

No. 249,247. Patented Nov. 8,1881.

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i UNITED STATES c PATENT OEETCE,

JOHN H. LASKEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO MATTHEW F. MCLANAHAN,`TRUSTEE.

SELF-LEVELING BERT'H.

SPECIFICATION forming part of l Letters Patent No. 249,247, dated November 8, 1881.

Application filed May 7, 188i.A (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known .that I, JOHN H. LASKEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Leveling Berths;

and I do hereby declare that the same are t'ully described in the following specification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to so suspend ro and control self-levelin g berths as to simplify their construction and greatly increase their convenience. y

My invention consists in the novel appliances hereinafter specified, illustrated in the drawings, and specially referred to in the appended claims.

I am Well aware that it is not broadly new to suspendberths in such manner as to maintain them in a horizontal position, and that zo various devices for such suspension are well known. ,v

In the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal 'section of the upper berth and a side view of the lower one and of the frame. Fig. 2 is a transverse section at the dotted lineAA, Fig.l.

A represents the stateroom as in ordinary vessels.

B is a frame suspended centrally at one side of the room by means of a broad and strong 3o bearing or bearings, F F, which may be formed on a transverse supporting-rod at each side of and somewhat beyond the edges of the frame and berths. Said frame B swings fore and aft freely at all times on the bearings F F, and its horizontal position is not aii'ected by the pitching of the vessel. The double bearings F F cause the frame to move laterally and remain parallel with the walls ot' the room when the vessel rolls-that is, not to swing 4o out into the room and baclragain, and hence space is economized greatly as compared with berths or frames suspended from a single point.

O C are berths suspended one above the other on trunnions G G at the ends of the 4 5 frame B, and thereby permitted to swing `freely and independently of each other on said frame,

which, as explained, moves fore and aft on its bearing F, while the berths oscillate slowly on their pivots G when the vessel rolls.

From this construction it is plain that the 5o berths will independently maintain their equilibrium under all circumstances, remaining horizontal whatever the motions of the vessel maybe, and taking up but little more room than is required for the ordinary rigid berths. 5 5 The berths being thus separately adjustable on their trunnions, the occupant of' one does not by his movements disturb the occupant ot' the other.

Each berth is provided with a spring, D, at 6o one or both of its ends, connecting it to the frame B, and designed to prevent any more swing to the berth than is necessary to overcome the rolling movement of the vessel. Said springs are, by preference, of the form shown in Fig. 2--that is, a flat elastic strip of metal extending from the berth, where it is secured, and playing through an eye on the end of the frame.

The frame'B is also provided with springs 7o E, preferably arranged each side of the bearing F, so as to press against the supporting timbers above, about as shown, and thus adapted to check any extreme swinging of the frame on itsbearing. The ends of the frame are shown somewhat nearer to each other at the bottom than at the top, and the frame is curved at top and beveled at bottom each way from the center, so that it has a greater longitudinal movement without striking than if made 8o rectangular. The space H, directly beneath the lower berth, may be largely utilized for baggage. i V Y 1t is at times desirable to rigidly secure one or both of the berths' to the frame B, so that 85 they will have no movement independent of said frame until released. A suitable device therefor is indicated in Fig.2, where abolt, K, attached by a loop to the berth C and operatedl by a pivoted lever, L, is adapted to enter a slot 9o in the end piece, B, and to be thus temporarily engaged. This device may be readily operated by the occupant of the berth.

I claim as of my invention` 1. The frame B, supported -on the elevated bearings F F, one at each side, to provide for thefore-and-aft movement, in combination with the berths (3 C, trunnioned at G G, to swing in the frame, whereby said berths are each with the berths C C, separateiy trnnnioned maintained in a horizontal position, substan thereon, 'and a looking device for each` berth, tially as and for the purpose set forth. whereby it may be temporarily secured to said 2. The frame, provided with the hearings frame, substantially as and for the purpose set 15 F F, one at each side, in combination with the forth. berths C C, trunnions G G, and springs D D, In testimony whereof I hereto affix my sigserving as an elastic connection between the nature in presence of two witnesses. berth C and the supporting-frame B, substan- JOHN H. LASKEY. tially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The frame B, suspended on the transverse bearings F F, one at each side, in combination Witnesses:

A. H. SPENCER', JOHN C. LANE. 

